Think Big realises G2 ambitions with Shakertown success

Think Big continued his renaissance as a turf sprinter going places as he collared Rogue Lightning close home in the G2 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland, USA, on Tuesday, 8 April.

Successful on both his previous grass starts at Fair Grounds over the winter, the Michael Stidham-trained four-year-old broke on terms from his outside draw and disputed fifth before moving up to fourth heading into the first turn.

Think Big went third around Arzak turning in and stayed on strongly in the straight to press the leading duo of Coppola and Rogue Lightning approaching the final furlong.

Rogue Lightning grabbed the lead as Coppola started to fade over half a furlong out, but the European challenger was headed in the closing strides by Think Big, who hit the line powerfully under Ben Curtis for a half-length verdict on his Stakes debut.

Ben Curtis said: “I have known Think Big for a while and breezed him a lot. I got on him originally at Colonial Downs, when he put up a dominant performance. We shortened him up at the Fair Grounds, put him on the turf, and he seemed to grow a fifth leg. He really improved for it.

“Every run, he has done it in a different style. He came from last place and rounded the field the last day, and today he sat up near the pace and ground it out to the line. He’s versatile ground-wise and surface-wise – he’s just a dream horse to have.”